High-tension interrupting device



y 1951 A. THXBAUDAT 2,551,772

HIGH-TENSION INTERRUPTING DEVICE Filed July 21, l 2 Sheets-Sheet l May8, 1951 A. THIBAUDAT 2,551,772

HIGH-TENSION INTERRUPTING DEVICE Filed July 21, 194'. 2 Sheets-Sheet 2I/7Ve/775k 596 /7. TmAQM/J Patented May 8, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE HIGH-TENSION INTERRUPTING DEVICE Application July .21, 1947,Serial No. 762,369 In France May 21,.1946

Section 1, Public Law 690, August 8, 1946 Patent expires May 21, 1966 10Claims.

In the practical construction of high tension interrupting devicesdesigned to interrupt mod. erate currents, such as for exampledisconnecting switches operating under load or circuit interrupters withmoderate interruption power, it is necessary to obtain on one hand arapid separation of the contacts and on the other hand a considerablespacing between the contacts in the completely open position. The firstof these-two conditions is justified by the requirement-to reduce theduration and energy of the arcs and to accelerate the extinction thereofand it requires important acceleration forces while the second,justified by considerations of security, causes important forces to actthroughout the entire length.

It therefore results that these devices exert ard acc 'nulate at theclosing operation very considerable quantities of mechanical energyproducing heavy strains in the control elements and in the devicesthemselves, rendering. difficult their manipulation, bringing-aboutviolent shocks which risk damaging the insulators, producing dangerousreboundings. etc.

On the other hand the control of suchswitches is to be effected throughthe intermediary of insulating elements subjected to bending ortorsional strains which are, as is known, undesirable. Thesedisadvantages are particularly troublesome in the case of air blastswitches, and the resent invention, also applicable to nonblowingdevices, has. for an object avoiding these disadvantages by an improvedarrangement wherein the rapid movement of the movable contacts, theaction of the air blast and the general method of operation, all factorswhich favor. the rapid extinction of the arcs, are only acting during aperiod which is relatively short compared to ti?" entire duration of.the disconnection.

The invention also has for an object increasn the breaking power ofpneumatic disconnec- 11 devices operating without a separatedcompressor, simplifying their construction and permitting theiroperation with relatively high tensions.

A. further object of the present inventionis to A- further object of theinvention is to provide means whereby the first movement is a rapidrectilinear translation, suificient for the complete interruption of thecontrolled circuit, while the second is a rotation of the movable parts.When pneumatic extinguishing is applied it preferably takes place'onlyduring the first movement.

A still further object of the invention is to avoid not only thedisadvantages indicated above but also secure several new advantageswhich will beset forth below in the description of the structuralexamples which relate to disconnecting switches operating under load andcircuit breakers having an are blowing system'with' concentric channelsoperating without separate-compressors.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the description whichfollows describing various possible modifications.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters indicate likeparts, Fig. 1 is aside'elevational view with parts in section of oneform of the invention showing the contacts in closedposition.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational viewwith parts in section showing theposition of the elementsat the termination of the first translationalmovement for securing the actual interruption of the circuit.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to-Fig. 2 illustrating the position'of theelements in the completely open or safety disconnection position.

Fig. 4 is a partial cross sectional view on a larger scale of thecontacts.

5 is a side elevational view with portions broken away and with apartial wiring diagram of a modified construction, and

Fig. 6 is aviea similar to Fig. 5 of a still further modification.

Referring to Fig. l, theporcela-in insulator I supports the group offixed contacts 2 comprising the main contacts 3 and the resilientinterrupting contact :3 shown in Fig. 4. The porcelaininsulator 5supports the pivot 6 for the movable elements. These elements are formedessentially by a metallic tube '5 closed by a plug 1A and carrying thepiston 23 as well as the movable cylinder 2 which may be displaced withrelation to the piston 8.

Preferably the. length of the cylinder 9 is, rela tively smallcomparedto its diameter. The/cylinder is constantly urged towards thepivot; 6 by a strong concentric spring it whose-. J-Pperend. is attachedto an enlargement I I provided-upon the 3 upper portion of the cylinder.The lower end of the spring iii is attached to the ring i2 which isfixed by two cars 52A to the common pivot 6.

The cover 9A of the cylinder 9 (Fig. 4) carries the movable contact itof tubular form which cooperates with the main contacts 3. At theinterior of the tubular contact l3 whose end i3 may be made of aninsulating material as shown is the conducting tuce it whose upper end il of reinforced construction cooperates with the re silient interruptingcontact The contact 4 carrying a guide rod ll has fixed thereto theinsulating element t whose lower surface is in contact with the end itof the tube 13. The elements l, i" and d are urged downwards by acompression spring as shown; the downward movement of the contact 4 islimited by a stop upon the upper end of 4".

The conducting tube it is fixed to the elements ii and it. It has at itslower portion some longitudinal slots [5, Fig. 1, while the tube I hasin the neighborhood of these slots some apertures 55 which open into theextension ll of the cylinder 9 arranged to'slide along the tube '5.

The extension ll carries two hinges l8 (Figs. 2 and 3) to which areattached two links 59, connected to the upper ends of the two angularlevers whose lower ends are driven by the insulated connecting rod 2i.This connecting rod is actuated by an appropriate control mechanism notshown, or by hand.

The whole device is connected to the controlled circuit by the leads Mand N fixed upon the terminals m and n.

In order to simplify the drawing there has not been shown thereon theusual means such as flexible connections, the sliding contacts, etc.,for transmitting heavy currents across the different elements'of theapparatus.

The operation of the apparatus may be carried out by hand as adisconnecting switch or automatically as a circuit breaker. In order todescribe its operation the first case is assumed. The movable elementsoccupying the completely opened position shown upon Fig. 3, a lever orwheel (not shown) is manually operated to strain a spring (not shown)and to move the insulating connecting rod 2| towards the right.

The lever 29 passes from the position A to the position B and all themovable elements swing freely as a unit towards the axis EB (Fig. 3) toreach the position shown upon Fig. 2. In this position the rotation ofthe tube i is stopped by the abutment 22 provided upon the lowerporcelain support 5. This rotation which has no resistance to overcometakes place slowly and its termination by the abutment 22 carried outwithout shock.

Then the operating lever is turned by hand or by a control wheel (notshown) in the opposite direction which liberates the spring (not shown)mentioned above and this spring rapidly moves the angular lever 20 intothe position C. The toggle joint l9, 2!] straightens and raises thehinges liiwith the cylinder 8, it which slides upwardly along the tube 7while stretching the spring IS. The end it of the contact tube i3contacts the element 4' the end Hi of the tube It contacts the resilientcontact i. The elements 4 and i are raised and the tube i3 penetratesinto the assemblyz while establishing the definite connection with themain contacts 3 (Fig. 1).

In the case of the manual control assumed above the toggle joint i9, 2%]passes preferably slightly past its dead point and the apparatus is inits stable closing position. In order to unlock it suffices to break thetoggle.

In the case of automati control the angular lever 28 is preferably movedinto the position C which is adjacent the position D of the dead pointbut without passing it. The apparatus then tends to open automaticallyand the insulating con" necting rod 2! is subjected to a smallcompression force. It may then be retained in this position (shown uponFig. 1) by an appropriate looking device which may be unlocked by hand,by a relay, by interrupting a control circuit or by any other means.

The control mechanism of the insulating connecting rod 2i may compriseany known means which will secure a free tripping.

In order to facilitate the relative movement of the cylinder 9 withrelation to the piston 8 during the closing operation, appropriatepneumatic elements such as suitable inlets or valves (not shown) areprovided and are arranged to open during the upward movement of thecylinder 9 and prevent any pneumatic braking at closing. By way ofsecurity any appropriate locking means such as cams, pawls, etc., may beprovided to prevent the premature straightening of the toggle joint 29,I9 during movement through the course A-B. This precaution is notindispensable since the correct succession of movements is assuredthrough the considerable force of the spring H] which only comes intoplay during movement through the course B-C.

The unlocking is brought about according to this case, either by aslight displacement towards the left of the insulating connecting rod 2!when the dead point of the toggle joint has been passed during thecourse of closing or by the unlocking of the locking device (not shown)when the dead point has been reached.

During the circuit interruption the apparatus passes quickly from theposition of Fig. 1 to that of Fig. 2. During the rectilineartranslational movement, the lever 26 passes from position C to positionB, the cylinder 9 urged by the spring it) moves downward and the outsidetube 13 leaves the main contacts 3 after which the tubular contact Hiseparates from the resilient interrupting contact 4 producing theinterruption arc.

At the beginning of this movement the elements 4 and 4' follow through acertain distance the elements It" and M so that the upper openings ofthese movable elements remain temporarily closed. When the elements 4and t are finally stopped in the position shown upon Fig. 2 by theabutment provided upon the rod i, the air compressed at the top of thepiston 8 escapes through the annular channel between the tubes l3 and M(Fig. 4) while the lowering of pressure created under the piston 8 sucksthe surrounding air through the tube M, the slots 15 and the apertures16. as shown by the arrows upon Fig. 4.

These slots 15 are provided in order to maintain open the apertures 56when the cylinder 9 and its inner tube M are in the lowest position, sothat the space under the piston 8 is always in communication with theopening of the contact element M.

Experience shows that with this blowing method, as well as withsimplified modifications thereof, the arc is quickly extinguished duringa relatively short translation, which permits the use of a smallcylinder 9 and consequently small and noncumbersome movable elements.

assume:

.This'rapid interrupting :movement being achieved; it lliS followed .by:the further rotation of the lever towards.the' position A: and all the.:movable elements return to the complete opening position. shown uponFig. 3. Thisdisconnectingi movementtakes place at reduced speed and itis therefore accomplished without shock and without exposingtheporcelain support 5 'to strains.

The voltage of the controlled circuits and the interrupting power of theinterrupting :devices:

above set forth may be increased substantially by theuse of two or moredevices analogous to those described above;- it is also possible toimprove their performance by appropriate interrupting resistances.

The improved'means secure in a simple and economical way autonomouscircuit .interrupters with. self compression; that is; operating withoutany special source ofcompressed air and nevertheless. havinga quite.high interrupting; power. Upon Fig. 5' there isshownan interruptor-with:selfl compression comprisingtwo movableequipments' connected in seriesand analogous to -those described above. In order to simplify thedrawing there has not been shown thereon. either the operating elementsof the movable elements or the resilient elements,.such as the springswhich actuate the blowing means. All of-these elements may be arrangedas set-forth above or inany other equivalent way.

The equipment shown comprisestwo fixed contact elements 2| and 22supported by the insulators 23 and 24 andconnected to theouter. leads 25and 25. These two fixed elements may com!- prise contacts of-. anynature, rigidor resilient, and particularly appropriate interruptingcontacts,. schematically shownat 2| and 22.

They cooperate with. two movable. contact arrangements 21 and 28havingsuitable blowing means of. any .nature, supported by the movablecylinders 29- and. 30. These latter arepreferably of relatively largediameter to secureduring a relatively short distance with relationtotheir pistons 3| and 32 suficient. compression or the inclosecl air.

The relative displacement of' the cylinders 29 and 3D.with relation tothe pistons 3| and 32 is taken care of by. elastic means such as springssimilar to those of Fig. l which have not been shown. These means urge.the two cylinders towards. one another when they have been. freed by anydesired unlocking system.

The pistons 3| and 32 V are connected by a pivotally mounted support 33mounted upon the pivot 34 and the. insulator '35. A resistance 36 may beconnected as shown between'the movable elements and one of the terminalconnections. Fig. 5 shows the apparatus in the locked position irr'whichthe circuit is closed and the opening means such as the springsmentioned" above are strongly strained.

In order to effect interruption, the opening means are released whichrapidly displaces the cylinders 29 and withtheir tubular contactelements 21' and 23 towards the pivot 34. At the start of their travelthe elements 21 and'28 are followed by'the resilient contact elements 2l and 22' and the air filling the cylinders 29' and 30 is subjected to arapid. compression'by the pistons 3| and: 32 which remain for the momentimmovable.

Thecontacts' 2| and 22. are then stopped while the elements 21 and.ZS-continue their verticaltravel andJthe -arcs which. result are cili-6; ciently" blown out by the compressed air. 11712517.- When :adefinite.extinction." of the: arcsyisz; thus 7 obtained during a relatively shortrectilinear travel-of thecontacts 21. and 28:.thexsupport33 effects arotation in clockwise direction: to occupy thedisconnecting position FF"in which the movable elements occupy the position shownv by dottedlines.

When aniinterrupting resistance 36- is used'one. of the arcs is shuntedby the resistancewhich isacting'usefully' during the separation of "thecorresponding'contacts Hand 22 in orderito damp the. oscillations'iofithe recovery "voltage and to "increase" if necessary the. interruptingpower. The shunted arc maybe started a'little: before the nonshuntedarc.

.In the modification shown upon Fig; 6 the pistons 3|: and'32taresupported bythe' separate supports 31 and 38 pivoted at. 39 and). The

' pivot. 39 is provided upon the .fiXed contact element 22 and the.pivot 40 as well as the terminal connection 2 B are supported by.thei'insulator. 4 l

The resistance. 36' maybe connected 'between 22j and 40 for example.

The-two movable units 27,29, 31. and 23, 30.38, carry out in'thisrarrangement separate imovements in order to occupy finally. thedisconnecting positions shown in dotted lines'at G andIG'.

The mechanism designed for producing the successive movements of" themovable elements may be analogous to that of Figs. 1 to 3 or bearrangedin any other appropriate way. For: example, thecorrect succession ofthe-various interrupting and disconnecting movements" may be securedwith the aid of appropriate cams and thereby eliminate the springs whichare attached directly to the movable cylinders. -A resilient element foractuating the cylinders for the first movement corresponding to theinterrupting-of the arcs may be in this case locatedin th'ecommoncont-rol mechanism and. may be arranged to intervene only during thecorresponding movement.

In place of displacing the cylinders 29 and. 30 with relation tothepistons 31 and 32, the pistons may be displaced to-secure theextinctionof the arcs by a' rectilinear. movement of the contacts 2 landi22 so-as to space them from the blowing elements 2'! and 28afterwhi'ch the disconneciion rnay be secured by an appropriatedisplacement of the elements 2| and 22 orby a rotation of thecylinderas' has been set forth above.

Other combinations of two or more move ments may be provided and othermodifications of the means described may thereby be obtained.

It is also obvious that the blowing method described may be modified..For example, cylinders and pistonsmay be eliminated or replaced withthe action of .a gas. produced in a. known manner by suitablebodiesunder. the efiect of thearc, etc.

In place of. a. rapid rectilinear movement for the actual.interruptioniollowed by a slow rota? tive movement for thedisconnection, two or more successive. rectilinear movements may also beused. One movement with the blast may be rapid, for example. and theother slow. Also two or more successive rotative movements, or theinterruption may be carried. out by rotation. and the disconnectionbytranslation. It is obvious that other vmodificationsare possible.

The apparatuses described and their .modificationsarcay be used. andarranged in anyapprop-riateway according to the conditions. of useinorder. to. operate;- forexample,- as. disconnecting:

I! d switches operating under load or as automatic circuit interrupterswith a reasonable interruptionpower. The invention presents particularlythe following advantages.

The mechanical forces are only applied during a portion of the travel(through BC) which reduces by a very large proportion the mechanicalenergy accumulated and facilitates operation of the apparatus.

The control is carried out through the intermediary of an insulatingconnecting rod 2! which is only exposed to traction efiorts orcompression which permits lightening the construction and securing agreater security.

The porcelain supports for the movable elements are not subjected toviolent shocks which also increases the security of operation.

The control elements shown and not shown such as the connecting links,locking devices, etc., may be diminished in weight and simplified.

The pneumatic blowing elements being reduced in weight andoumbersomeness in that they only come into action during a shortinterruption'travel permit the inertia of the movable elements to bereduced and the circuit interruption to be rapid.

The blowing elements having an appropriate diameter and being locatedvery close to the contacts, the blowing action acts very rapidly andupon separation of the contacts, it attains full efiiciency.

In the following claims the term disconnection means the separation ofthe contacts to a safe position such as shown in Fig. 3.

I claim:

I. A high tension circuit interrupter comprising a fixed contact and amovable contact, said movable contact comprising a pivotally mountedsupport, a piston on said support, a cylinder for said piston slidableon said support, coaxial tubular members fixed to said cylinder formingthe contact elements cooperating with said fixed contact, means formoving said cylinder and contact elements toward and away from saidfixed contact in a rapid rectilinear movement to bring about the actualinterruption and closure of the-circuit, said movement causing arelative movement between said piston and cylinder placing air underpressure which is expelled through said tubular members forextinguishing the are formed upon the interruption of the circuit andmeans for swinging said support and associated elements to disconnectionposition at the termination of the rectilinear interrupting movement.

2. A high tension circuit interrupter comprising a fixed contact and amovable contact, said movable contact comprising a pivotally mountedsupport, a piston on said support, a cylinder for said piston slidableon said support, coaxial tubular members fixed to said cylinder formingthe contact elements cooperating with said fixed contact, resilientmeans interconnecting said cylinder and support, toggle means for movingsaid cylinder and contact elements to closure position and therebyplacing said resilient means under tension, means for releasing saidtoggle means so that said cylinder is retracted rapidly along saidsupport by said resilient means said movement causing a relativemovement between said piston and cylinder placing air underpressurewhich is expelled through said tubular members for extinguishing the areformed upon the interruption of the circuit and means for swinging saidsupport and associated elements to disconnection position at thetermination of the rectilinear interrupting movement.

3. A high tension circuit interrupter comprising a fixed contact and amovable contact, said movable contact comprising a pivotally mountedsupport, a piston on said support, a cylinder for said piston s'lidableon said support, coaxial tubular members fixed to said cylinder formingthe contact elements cooperating with said fixed contact, resilientmeans interconnecting said cylinder and support, toggle means for movingsaid cylinder and contact elements to closure position and therebyplacing said resilient means under tension, means for releasing saidtoggle means so that said cylinder is retracted rapidly along saidsupport by said resilient means said movement causing a relativemovement between said piston and cylinder placing air under pressurewhich is expelled through said tubular members for extinguishing the areformed upon the interruption of the circuit, the inner coaxial member ofsaid coaxial tubular members having communication with the suction sideof said piston so that a suction is also exerted to extinguish said arcand means for pivoting said support and associated elements todisconnection position at the termination of the rectilinearinterrupting movement.

l. A high tension circuit interrupting and disconnecting devicecomprising a fixed contact and a co-operating movable contact unit, saidcontact unit being formed by a pivotally mounted support, a piston fixedupon said support, a cylin der for said piston slidable on saidpiston,coaxial nozzle members carried by said cylinder and forming the movablecontact proper and means for positively separating said movable contactfrom said fixed contact first in a rapid rectilinear translation tobring about the actual interruption of the circuit by a rapid contactseparation and by an air blast resulting from the relative movement ofsaid cylinder, and then in a slower rotation of said support and of theassociated contact unit in order to further increase the said contactseparation.

5. A high tension circuit interrupting and disconnecting device having afixed contact and a cooperating movable contact unit, said unitcomprising a pivotally mounted support, a piston on said support, amovable cylinder cooperating with said piston, coaxial tubular membersfixed to said cylinder and forming a movable contact, resilient elementsinterconnecting said cylinder and support, positive mechanical means formoving said cylinder with the said associated movable con tact into theclosed position and thereby placing said resilient elements undertension and means for releasing said resilient elements, whereby saidmovable contact and cylinder are first retracted rapidly along saidsupport producing air blasts through said tubular members forextinguishing the are formed upon the separation of contacts, saidmechanical means being arranged for producing after said retractingmovement a rotation of said support and of its associated elements inorder to further increase the separation of said contacts.

6. A high tension circuit breaking and disconnecting device comprisingtwo fixed contacts and two cooperating movable contacts connected inseries, each of said movable contacts comprising a pivotally mountedsupport, a piston on "said support, a cylinder for said piston slidableon said support, coaxial tubular members fixed to said cylinder formingthe contact elements cooperating with said fixed contact, resilientmeans interconnecting said cylinder and sup-port, toggle means formoving said cylinder and contact elements to closure position andthereby placing said resilient means under tension, means for re leasingsaid toggle means so that said cylinder is retracted rapidly along saidsupport by said resilient means, said movement causing a relativemovement between said piston and cylinder placing under pressure the airwhich is expelled through said tubular members for extinguishing the areformed upon the interruption of the circuit, the inner coaxial member ofsaid coaxial tubular members having communication with the suction sideof said piston so that a suction is also exerted to extinguish said arc,and means for pivoting said support and associated elements todisconnection position at the termination of the rectilinearinterrupting movement.

7. A high tension circuit breaking and disconnecting device comprisingtwo fixed contacts, two cooperating movable contacts and a pivotallymounted support carrying both said movable contacts, each of whichcomprises a piston on said supports, a cylinder for said piston slidableon said support, coaxial tubular members fixed to said cylinder formingthe contact elements cooperating with said fixed contact, resilientmeans interconnecting said cylinder and support, toggle means for movingsaid cylinder and contact elements to closure position and therebyplacing said resilient means under tension, means for releasing saidtoggle means so that said cylinder is retracted rapidly along saidsupport by said resilient means, said movement causing a relativemovement between said piston and cylinder placing air under pressurewhich is expelled through said tubular members for extinguishing the areformed upon the interruption of the circuit, the inner coaxial member ofsaid coaxial tubular members having communication with the suction sideof said piston so that a suction is also exerted to extinguish said are,and means for pivoting said support and associated elements todisconnection position at the termination of the rectilinearinterrupting movement.

8. A circuit interrupting and disconnecting device comprising a movablecontact including an axial conducting tube forming the contact elementproper and an annular channel, positive mechanical driving means toeffect during the circuit interruption a rapid arc interruptingtranslation of said movable contact, as well as a less rapid transversedisconnecting movement of the same contact, a cylinder supporting saidmovable contact, a cooperating piston, means for displacing saidcylinder with respect to said piston during said translation only, andmeans for interconnecting respectively both parts of said cylinder withsaid conducting tube and said annular channel, whereby an air-blast andan air-suction are produced.

9. A high tension circuit interrupting and disconnecting devicecomprising a fixed contact and a cooperating movable contact structureincluding a tubuiar element, an axial conducting tube forming thecontact element proper and an annular channel surrounding said tube,said movable contact having pivotally mounted support, a piston fixedupon said support, a movable cylinder for said piston, carrying saidmovable contact structure, the said tube being connecte: to one part ofsaid cylinder and the said annular channel being connected to the otherpart or said cylinder, resi'iient members interconnecting said cylinderand support, mechanical means for positively operating said cylinder andmovable contact to a position in which said resilient means are placedunder tension and the circuit is closed, means for releasing saidresilient members vhereby two successive movements are produced, thefirst being a rapid translation resulting in a separation of thecontacts and producing an air blast through said annular channel and anair suction through said conducting tube in order to extinguish the arc,and the second being a pivotal rotation of said support adapted toincrease substantially the separation of contacts obtained during thesaid translation.

16. A high tension circuit breaker comprising a fixed contact and a.cooperating movable contact, said movable contact comprising a pivotallymounted support, a piston on said support, a cylinder for saidpistonslidable on said support, coaxial tubular members fixed to saidcylinder forming the movable contact elements cooperating with saidfixed contact, means for moving said cylinder and tubular members awayfrom said fixed contact in a rapid rectilinear movement to bring aboutthe actual opening of the circuit, means upon said fixed contact adaptedto close said tubular members on a part of said rectilinear movement,whereby the air filling said cylinder is compressed until said tubularmembers are opened and said compressed air is expelled through saidtubular members for extinguishing the arc of interruption of thecircuit, and means for swinging said support and associated elements todisconnection position at the end of said rectilinear movement, wherebythe distance between said cooperating contacts is further increased.

ALBERT THIBAUDAT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 525,332 Card Sept. 4, 18941,563,833 Christensen Dec. 1, 1925 2,039,838 Saudicoeur May 5, 19362,264,862 Scheuermeyer Dec. 2, 1941 2,279,024 Korndorfer Apr. '7, 19422,286,131 Wallace et al June 9, 1942 2,429,311 Gay Oct. 21, 1947

